Ships in Drydock . . . How often?

[theos on the go]

In reading the posts in the past days. One of the topics that keeps coming up is cruising the first cruise after a ship has been in drydock.

 

In general, does anyone know how often a ship goes into drydock (i.e. do each of the ships go into drydock once a year?. . . more?)

 

Is there a certain criteria why a ship needs to go into drydock?

 

It would be interesting to know.

 

Thanks!

 

Theos

[GoinCruisin]

Most of the times, a ship out of drydock will be fine. When a ship has sat in port for 6 months, I think the lesson learned is that it might take an extra week... I have cruised right after drydock (on the Sensation as a matter of fact :D) and not had a problem. This is a pretty isolated incident, if a ship is just going in for a standard drydock and not anything major.

 

There is a list somewhere here that someone posted that has the drydock schedules of the ships... it may be a little old by now.

[theos on the go]

Thanks for the answer!

 

I'll search for the drydock schedule just for curiousity. :)

 

Theos

[VentureMan_2000]

Ships are REQUIRED to drydock at least once in a fve year period... and no sooner than once every 3 years.

 

The main purpose is to inspect the propulsion system and hull. Sometimes, the cruiseline might do something to the inside as long as it's out of service... but that is usually never the main driver for drydock.

[BND]

"Required" by whom?

[Capt_BJ]

"Required" by whom?

 

required by more that one group actually. underwater hull inspections will be required by the flag state and the insurance underwriter. however the specific period referred to above is a US Coast Guard regulation. While the CG has no authoritity of a non-US flagged ship as such....regulations have been but in place that must be complied with to board passengers at US ports. As noted alsewhere USCG performs regular inspections of cruise ships to ensure compliance with SOLAS & certain US regulations.

 

In typical government-ese the reg reads a little wierd. something like twice in 6 years with no more than 4 years since the last...in practice it turns out to be a 3 year cycle most of the time but does provide a little wiggle room.

 

The primary purpose of the dry dock is to check the many underwater openings in the hull and their respective valves. Also the condition of the hull in general and the underwater portions of the propulsion and steering systems. In traditional ships that's the rudders, props and shafts with their associated bearings and seals; and things like bow thrusters. In the case of a 'pod' ship, that's the only time the propulsion motor can be checked.... The bottom will almost always be cleaned and repainted.

 

Taking a ship out of the water is a very expensive task, and there aren't all that many places to do it. Time dry is kept to a minimum. However since the ship is 'off line' it is also a good time to get a TON of other work done, even tho only the underwater hull work actually required the ship be dry.